At the 5^th conference of the VWU Central Committee in Hanoi on January 9, Mr Manh said over the past years the Union has embraced Party guidelines and State policies and carried out diverse activities to improve the material and spiritual lives of women.

He noted that many role models have been discovered and replicated from patriotic emulation campaigns and charity movements such as “Women helping each other in economic development”, “Practicing thrift to follow late President Ho Chi Minh’s example”, and “Fundraising to build houses for the poor.” Grassroots-level VWU chapters have helped women reduce poverty, develop household economies and build happy families.

The Party and State acknowledge the significant contributions to national development made by the VWU and its chapters across the country, said Mr Manh.

However, he pointed to several weaknesses of their movements, saying the number of poor women remains high and many women are still illiterate in ethnic and disadvantaged areas.

The primary task of the VWU and its chapters is to overcome these weaknesses and promote women’s movements at grassroots level, said Mr Manh.

He asked the union to work out its action plan for 2010 – the last year of Vietnam’s 2006-2010 development plan. This year will also mark the organisation of local Party Congresses, major national celebrations and international events.

He also asked local Party Committees and administrations to work closely with women chapters to promote gender equality for women’s advancement.

He suggested that VWU chapters make fact-finding tours of localities to help women develop household economies, generate jobs and increase their incomes.